Xuan Liu Makes Hiyono appstory in WPT Global Slam at Triton

Table Of Contents

• $25K WPT Global Slam Final Table Results
• Liu Makes History; Dvoress Denied Trident
• Triton Poker Series Montenegro Schedule

Xuan Liu made poker history in Montenegro by becoming the first woman ever to win a Triton Poker title, taking down the $25K WPT Global Slam for a career-best $860,000.

Representing WPT Global, Liu topped a stacked 155-entry field to secure the trophy in her Triton Poker debut, marking the largest live cash of her career and moving her past $3 million in lifetime earnings. The victory also vaulted her to 15th on the Women’s All-Time Money List, leapfrogging Poker Hall of Famer Jennifer Harman.

The tournament also saw Kristen Foxen achieve a major milestone, finishing fourth for $325,000 to become just the second woman in poker history to surpass $10 million in live tournament earnings, joining Vanessa Selbst in that exclusive club. The result brought the five-time bracelet winner's 2025 earnings to over $1.5 million.

The $25K WPT Global Slam generated a $3,875,000 prize pool and the top 27 finishers earned a share of the payouts. April’s GPI Player of the Month Alex Foxen (21st – $42,500), Isaac Haxton (19th – $46,500), and Mikita Badziakouski (17th – $52,000), each notched early cashes to kick off their Triton Montenegro campaigns.

$25K WPT Global Slam Final Table Results

Click here to see a full list of payouts.

Liu Makes History; Dvoress Denied Trident

Coming into the unscheduled third day as chip leader, Daniel Dvoress was one win away from completing the elusive Triton “Trident” — titles in No-Limit Hold’em, Short Deck, and Pot-Limit Omaha. He knocked out Tom Fuchs in fifth and David Peters in third, entering heads-up with a commanding 4:1 chip lead over Liu.

But the momentum didn’t hold.

Liu chipped away early, rivering a wheel in one pot before forcing a fold with a huge 2x pot-sized bluff holding only king-high. Her aggression flipped the script, putting Dvoress on the back foot for the first time all day.

Dvoress then took a slight advantage, with the first all-in and call coming shortly after. Dvoress had ace-queen, and Liu held pocket fives. The pocket pair avoided the overcards and potential counterfeit; Liu had one hand on the trophy. On the final hand, Dvoress put in his last four big blinds with 10♣3♣and was looked up by 7♣6♦. A seven on the flop put Liu as the favorite, and a clean turn and river sealed the deal.

Dvoress quickly congratulated Liu and handed the spotlight over to the champion.

Speaking to Henry Kilbane after her unprecedented triumph, Liu reflected on the magnitude of the moment.

"I came only to play this one event, and I told myself I was going to make it really count," she said. "Obviously, this is beyond my wildest dreams."

Liu remained humble about her place among the game's elite. "I know I really can't hang on a day-to-day basis, but this is what the beauty of poker is all about," Liu added. "Anybody can get lucky on any given day."

She also took the opportunity to advocate for greater female representation in high-stakes poker, expressing confidence that more women will be stepping into the winner’s circle at events like Triton in the near future.

Despite the win, Liu won’t be registering for any more tournaments in Montenegro. It’s one and done for her at this series, and honestly, she picked the perfect way to bow out.

Images courtesy of Triton Poker

Triton Poker Series Montenegro Schedule

With the WPT Global Slam wrapped up, all eyes now turn to the final table of Event #2: $25,000 No-Limit Hold’em. At the time of writing, Alex Foxen holds the chip lead heading into the showdown, but faces stiff competition from players such as Jesse Lonis, Artur Martirosian, and the recently scandal-embroiled Nacho Barbero.

The event drew 130 entries to create a $3,250,000 prize pool. Two-time Triton champion Ramin Hajiyev fell in 24th place, bursting the bubble. Each of the nine finalists is now guaranteed at least $75,000, but all eyes are on the $755,000 top prize and the next Triton trophy.